Hey there fellow Steemers, you good? I hope so.
For all of you out there who are thinking about fasting for a few days to get the health and psychological benefits of fasting or to just test your mind power a bit, I'm gonna write a few notes about my own fasting experience.
Fasting Protocol
So I'm currently half way through the first day of a 2-3 day (haven't decided yet) fast, where I consume only few spoons of liquid Himalayan salt, coffee and up to 4 spoons of coconut oil (a portion of which is enhanced by a full spectrum of cannabinoids). And a bunch of water of course.
As I read in Tim Ferris's "Tools of Titans", it is better to add some exogenous ketones and caprylic acid, to smooth out the carbohydrate withdrawal. None of those at my disposal currently so, let's see what's the carb withdrawal all about.
Conscious Fasting = Luxury
Earlier today, I was on a walk with my little doggie fella Dex, thinking about this whole fasting thing.
It became clear to me that, me being able to just decide that for the next two or three days I won't consume food as usual, is, in the end, a highly luxurious position to be in. First, you have to be able to know, that you do not have anything too physically or even emotionally demanding going on during the next few days, which in itself is a very comfortable space to find yourself in. Basically, you (kinda) know that there is not any imminent danger coming your way in near future, which is a feeling only so omnipresent in a highly developed society that many of us live in. There, immediately you have something to appreciate and be thankful for.
Secondly, by consciously choosing to fast you immediately put yourself into a higher position of thought, which I believe allows you to begin to have more control over your physical and psychical being. Now, I think this is exactly what allows us to be who we are, in a sense, not just mere puppets of the current chemistry of our bodies or let's say anandamide (dopamine) driven decisions. (ananda - sanskrit word, means 'joy, bliss, delight')
Choosing to fast is hierarchically higher decision than choosing to eat, therefore the immediate feeling of being more present occurs.
What do you think guys? Any personal experiences with fasting? If so, what is your reason? What benefits do you expect to get from this?
Cheers and good day to everyone, thanks for reading this far.
*For all the grammar maestros out there - I apologize, not a native English speaker, so don't trip.
Thank you for sharing this, following you
Hey crypto-p,
thank you very much for follow!
I like your take in conscious fasting as a tool for mental and spiritual improvement, which is certainly a luxury that we can exert as people who count with certain privileges in our life.
Ironically, I think most people use their privilege for the exact opposite: gluttony and excess. Actually, it seems that many people have some irrational fear of going without food even if it's only a few hours, as if the natural state of the human body was having a food bulge being constantly digested all the way throughout the day!
Personally, I got curious about practicing this kind of fasting after reading "Heaven and Hell" by Aldous Huxley, where he describes how monks used it (although in a much more extreme way) as a means to attain visionary experiences. Some other artists also claim that it helps them clear their mind and access a very special type of creativity. Personally, after going over that initial discomfort from hunger, I feel a bit more focused and I feel like my mind is a bit sharper. And of course, I feel more in control of my body.
Hey Irime,
thanks so much for a valuable response,
yes exactly, I noticed the irrational fear of not eating in people around myself too.
"Heaven and Hell" by Huxley is the one where he goes deep about the mescaline use, am I right? Thanks for pointing that out, Huxley is still on my to-read list.
Yes, I definitely agree with a higher mental sharpness and feeling of being in control. Day 2 engaged, enjoying this!
Whish you a great day
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